Exerciser



Aug. 7, 1934. F. WOLCOTT 1,969,243

' EXERCISER Filed Sept. 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTO N EY.

7; 1934. F. E. WOLCO-TQT 1,969,248

EXERCISER Filed Sept. 20, 1929 2 Sheets'r-Sheet, 2

Patented Aug. 7, 1934 :1

UNITED STATES PATEN oF-Fics EXERCISER,

Frank E. Wolcott, West Hartford, Conn. Application September 20,1929, Serial N0.394, 80 f I 20 Claims. ((31. 1 28-63) between operative and inoperative positions is substantially reduced in such manner as to be particularly adapted to be used in shallow closets of the type common in modern'hotels or apartments. A still further object of my invention is 1 to provide such improved supporting means which are adapted to be adjusted with increased facility and which are of simple and improved construction, while comprising improved elements cooperating in an improved manner, and producing a construction of exceedingly .rugged character. These and other objects of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear;

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, three embodiments which my invention'may assume in practice.

\ In these drawings,--

' Figure 1 is a view of an exerciser equipped with my improvement and in position in a doorway,

the view being taken from inside the latter;

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; r

. Fig. 3 is a view, likewise from inside the doorway, showing the exerciser in inoperative position;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the structure in the position shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the structure in the same position, the doorframe being shown in section;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on line 6-6 or Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a detail view similar to Fig. 1'but showing a modified construction;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the latter;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further modified construction in its operative position in a doorway, and

Fig. 10 is a detail side view of the same with the exerciser in inoperative position."

Referring first to the illustrative construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6, it will be noted that the construction generally speaking includes an exerciser support 1 adapted to be disposed transversely of and inside a door frame 2 as for example, a closet door and carrying .annexerciser unit 3 betweenits ends so that the latter during use is accessible from outside the doorway, while supporting means 4 and 5 are provided inside the doorway enabling the support 1 and exerciser unit 3 to be disposed either in the position 11- lustrated in Fig. 1 or man inoperative. depending position inside the doorway and'at the side of one of the door frames shown in Fig. 3.7

In this present .application my invention'ineludes improved supporting means, generally designated 5 and referred to above, whereby new and improved results are obtained and the construction is substantially improved. More par:- ticularly, it will be noted that in this'construction this supporting means 5 includes a hinge member 6 adapted to be suitably attached, as for example by screws 7 at its corners, transversely of one end of the supporting member or board 1 and on'the opposite side of the latterfrom the unit 3. a hinge 8 projecting over and extending along parallel to the bottom edge of the board at that end. This hinge, the importance of which will hereinafter more fully appear; in turn connects the member 6 to a c'ooperatinghinge and swivel member'9. The latter. is herein shorter. in length than the member5 and also has a suitable aperture 10 therein permitting it to swivelon a suitable pin, herein in the form of a bolt 11 of such smaller diameter thanthe aperture as to permit some lateral movement as well as swiveling.- As shown, the member 9 is also adapted to be moved-back and forth on its axis withinthe limits prescribed by the head of the bolt and an adjacent support, herein raised and in the form of a spacing member or dome-12 in which the bolt 11 is threaded and which is fixed tothe right hand. door frame 2 as shown in Figure '1 and hereinafter described. It will also be noted that herein the member 9 has a rounded lower end permitting it, when rotated on the bolt 11, toclear a projection 13 on an angularly, disposed member 14 which extends through a suitable correspondingly shaped opening 15in the lower left hand portion of the wall of the dome- 12, and also extends across the ,axis of the dome and has the screw 11 threaded therethrough. It will also be observed that thedome 12 not only acts Herein, this member ,6 also has i as a' housing means for the inner end of the also directed to the fact that the dome member 12 is securely attached to its door post and below the operative position of the board 1 by suitable holding means, herein in the form of short screws 17 extending through arcuate flanges 18 on the top and bottom of the dome member and located at the ends of the same in such manner as securely to connect the parts, and that the member 12 is accordingly adapted to be readily put up and to minimize marking of the door frame. 7 During the use of the exerciser, it will be understood that the structure is disposed as shown in Fig. l, i. e. so that the supports 4 and 5 are on the inside of a doorway, as for example a closet door, while the exerciser unit 3 projects through the doorway and is accordingly accessible from the outside thereof, i. e. so that the user may stand or move as desired in the room while opposite the doorway and have the beltof the exerciser operate upon any desired portion of the body. 'It will, further, be understood that, when the exerciser hasbeen used, the construction is such as to permit it to be moved into the inoperative depending position inside the lines .of the doorway and insidethecloset, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. More particularly, it will be noted that in this position the member 9 engages and rests upon 'a substantially horizontally disposed surface 19 on the projection 13 in such manner as to hold the support 3 from swinging counterclockwise. It will also be. noted that further to position the support 1, I have provided a projection 20,.fixed to the door frame near the lower end of the member 1 and on the same side of the swivel 11 as the projection 13. This projection 20 herein extends into the path of thesupport 1 .andis carried on a strip 21 suitably attached, as V at 22, to thedoorway. Thus, in spite of thefact that the exerciser 3 is ofi center with respect to the swivel 11, the member land the associated parts may bedefinitely held in the inoperative position shown in'Fig. 3 against movement in either direction relative to the swivel. It will also be no-tedthat herein I have provided arub-f berbuifer '23 on the member 21 adjacent the projection '20.and adapted. to permitthelower end ofthesupport 1 to restagainst the same-and thereby minimize objectionable movement toward or contact with the doorframe.

Referring more-particularly to the process'of movingthe exerciser from the inoperativeposition shown in Fig. 3 to the operative position shown in Fig. 1, it will be noted that in'my. improved construction it is only necessary, while maintaining the support 1 closely adjacent the door frame, to pull out its lower end slightly and swing thesupport 1 about the hinge 8 in such manner thatthe exerciser unit 3.is opposite the opening in the. doorway and then, with theparts 0 5 and 9 in alinement and all parts still close to the door frame, swing the whole about the pivot 11 into a position slightly above. the position shown in Fig. 1, whereupon the free end of the member 1 may be lowered down into the'support 4 and between the same and the doorway, as shownin Fig. 1. Conversely, when it is de-" sired to movethe device from operative to inoperative position, a reverse or raising movement of the free end of the supportl, followed byturning of the support 1 about the hinge 8 and swingingof the whole about the pivotll while lowering the free end of the support 1, enables'the parts'to be brought into engagement with the supporting'surface 19, projection 20, and buffer 23, as desired, while moving only in the area;

closely adjacent the door frame. It will also be noted that the maximum depth of the required zone of movement inside the door frame is shown in Fig. 4 and equals only the combined depth of the support 1 and exerciser unit 3.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, it will be noted that this construction is essentially similar to that previously described and, while not preferred, may be used in certain circumstances if desired. More particularly, in this construction the member 25 and hinge 26 correspond to the member 5 and hinge 8. It will, however, be noted that a ".member 27 replaces the members 9 and 12, and

that the member 27 rests directly against the door frame and is pivoted on a suitable pivot screw 28carrying'a washer 29, while the member 27 is also provided with a right angled extension 30 extending under the support 1 and connected to the hinge 26. It will also, of course, be apparent that, if desired, suitable rubber buffers corresponding to the buffers 'l6previously described may be used with this construction, and that, if desired, means. corresponding to the member '20 may also be used'with it toposition the lower end of the support 1. It will also be evident that the setting up and. taking down operations of the structure will be generally similar to that previously described. I

In Figs- 9 and 10' I have illustrated a further modified construction 'which, while it, like that shown in Figs 'land -8, is not preferred, may be used if desired- In this construction, a bracket is provided comprising a strip-31extending Vertically of a door post and suitably fixed thereto inside the door, as by screws or pins 32. This bracket: in turn carries nearits lower end a horizontal rodv 33 on ,which the adjacent end of the support 1 is directly swiveled in a suitable hear.- ing sleeve 34.. Also, herein, the strip 31 is also provided with an inwardly and downwardly in: clinedportion 35 projecting from: its top, the

. lower end of whichacts as a support for the-inner end of the rod 33. In this construction, 'it'will be noted that when it is "desired to remove the devicefrom across-the doorway it is only necessary to raise the free endof the support 1 and then move the latternbodily back ontherod, 33 from the position shown in Fig; 9 to the position shown in Fig. 10 while'the free end of the support is lowered into vertical position beneath the rod, and that the exerciser unit in inoperative position is on the side of the support 1 toward thedoorway rather than on the opposite side, as in the preceding more compact constructions. It willalso be understood that in this construction suitable means corresponding to the member 20 may be. provided to limit the swinging movement of the support, 1, on the rod and main-p tain the support in vertical position if desired, although. in this construction. this. retaining means will, of course, the closet. I

As a result of my improvementsit will be noted that means are provided whereby it ismade possible tomove theexerciser. unit from inoperative position 'tooperative position or. vice versav in a small space closely adjacent the door-frame and in such manner as to adapt it to use under a wider have to extend farther into range of conditions, as, for example,;in shallow closets. More particularly, it will be noted that inthe constructionsshown in Figs. 1 to 6 and 7 closet. It will also be noted that in all forms" of my construction the process of adjusting the device from one position to another is facilitated and expedited while requiring less eifort on'the part of the user, thereby also further increasing the possible range of use of the device. These and other advantages of my improved constructions will, howevenbe clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described three forms which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms thereof are shown for illustrative purposes only and that the invention may be even further modified and embodied in various other formswithout departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure b Letters Patent is: g

1. In an exerciser, a support carrying an exerciser unit, and supporting means for said support connectible to a door frame and having connections for enabling movement of said support toward and from said frame andabout an axis extending longitudinally of the doorway, whereby while maintaining said support in a zone close- 1y adjacent to the door frame said support may be disposed transversely of the door frame or in vertical position at one side thereof.

2. In an exerciser, a support carrying an exerciser unit, and supporting means for said support having connections connectible to a door frame and a plurality of, pivotal connections, one extending longitudinally of the doorway and another extending longitudinally of said support, whereby by movement of the latter in a zone closely adjacent the door frame said support may be disposed transversely of the door frame or in vertical depending position at one side thereof and inside the latter.

3. In an exerciser comprising a support and an exerciser unit carried on one side thereof, supporting means for the opposite ends of said support including a support for the free end of said support and swiveled supporting means for the opposite end thereof enabling movement of said support in a zone adjacent to a door frame both relative to said swivel and about an axis extend- 4. In an exerciser, a support adapted to carry an exerciser unit, and supporting means for supporting said support vertically in a doorway or the like comprising a support for the free end thereof and a swivel supporting the opposite end thereof having a horizontal hinge between said exerciser and support and its swivel in the operative positon of said exerciser unit.

5. In an exerciser, a support adapted to carry an exerciser unit, and supporting means for supporting said support vertically in a doorway or the like comprising a support for the free end thereof and a swivel supporting the opposite end thereof having a hinge extending longitudinally of said exerciser unit support and between the latter support and said swivel.

In an exerciser, a support adapted to carry an exerciser unit, and supporting means for supporting said support vertically in a doorway or the like having a swivel and a hinge extending longitudinally of said first mentioned support and between the later and said swivel and movable On an axis at right angles to the axis of said swivel.

'7. In an exerciser, a support carrying an exerciser unit, and supporting means for supporting said support vertically in a doorway or the like having a swivel and a hinge beneathsaid support and above said swivel in the operative position of said exerciser unit and movable on an axis at right angles to the axis'of' said swivel and disposed on the opposite side of'said' support from saidunit.

' 8. An'exerciser support comprising a plurality of cooperating members," one adapted to carry an exerciser supporting board and the other connected to said first mentioned member by a hinge extending longitudinally of said board, a swivel carrying member, and 'a'swivel between the lat' ter and one of said hinged members disposed at right'angles to the axis of "saidhinge.

9. An exerciser support-comprising a plurality of cooperating members, one adapted to carry an exerciser supporting board and the other connected to said first mentioned member by a hinge extending longitudinally of said board, a spacing" member, and a swivel between the latter and one of said hinged members disposed at right angles to the axis of said hinge;

19. An exerciser support comprising a plural ity of cooperating membersone adapted to carry an exerciser supporting board and the other connected to said'first-n'ientioned member by a hinge extending longitudinally of said board, a spacing member, and a swivel between the latter and one of said hinged members disposed atright angles to the ax'isof said'hingeand permittingmovemerit of said hinged member toward and from said spacing member. I

I 11. Anexerciser support comprising a plurality of cooperating members, one adapted to carry an exerciser supporting board and the other connected to said first mentioned member by a hinge extending longitudinally of said'board, a swivel carrying member, a swivel between the latter and one of said hinged members disposed at right angles to the axis of said hinge, and a positioning member carried by said swivel carrying member and engageable by one of said hinge members.

12. An exerciser support comprising a plurality of cooperating members, one adapted to carry an exerciser supporting board and the other .connected to said first mentioned member by a hinge extending longitudinally of said board hinged member, a swivel carrying member, a swivel between the latter and one of said hinged members disposed at right angles to the axis of said hinge, and a positioning member carried by said swivel carrying member and engageable by said last mentioned hinged member when said first mentioned hinged member is folded back over the other.

13. An exerciser support comprising a plurality of cooperating hinged members, one adapted to carry an exerciser supporting board and the other connected to said first mentioned member by a hinge extending longitudinally of said board, a swivel carrying member, a swivel between the latter and said last mentioned hinged member disposed at right angles to the axis of said hinge, and a positioning member carried by said swivel carrying member and said swivel and engageable by one of said hinge members.

14. An exerciser support comprising a plurality of cooperating members, one adapted to carry an exerciser supporting board and the other connected to said first mentioned member by a hinge extending longitudinally of said board, a swivel carrying member, a swivel between the latter and said last mentioned hinged member disposed at right angles to the axis of said hinge, and a pcsitioning member attached to said swivel and engageable by. said last mentioned hinged member.

15. In an exerciser, a support, an exerciser unit thereon, and means for supporting said support in inoperative depending position comprising a swivel at the upper end of said support at one side of the balancing point of said support and unit, and cooperating means inhibiting movement of said support in one direction about said swivel and acting on the opposite end of said support.

16. In an exerciser, a support, an exerciser unit thereon, and means for supporting said support in inoperative depending position comprising a swivel at the upper end of said support at one side of the balancing point of said support and unit, cooperating means inhibiting movement of said support in one direction about said swivel and acting on the opposite end of saidsupport,

side of said swivel, and cooperating means positioning said first mentioned support against swinging in onedirection when in said depend ing position.

18. In an exerciser, a support, an exerciser unit thereon, a swivel support for said support when the latter is in depending position, disposed at the upper end thereof and laterally offset from said exerciser unit, a hinge-between said swivel support and first mentioned support extending parallel to the latter in the depending position thereof, and means for inhibiting movement of said support in one direction about said swivel.

19. An exerciser. supporting swivel connection comprising a plurality of co-operating members connected by a hinge, one of said members being connectible to an exerciser support at one side of said hinge to dispose said hinge longitudinally of said support and the other having angularly disposed portions on the opposite side of said hinge forming a spacing portion and a swivel carrying portion, and a swivel member connectible to another support and carried by the latter portion.

20. In an exerciser, a support carrying an exerciser unit projecting from one side thereof, and supporting means for said support comprising a support for one end thereof and a cooperating bracket supporting the opposite end thereof having a pivot rod on which said support is both pivoted and longitudinally slidable, said rod projecting through one end of said support and beyond the opposite side thereof from that carrying said exerciser unit suflicientlyto enable said support and unit to be disposed in depending position between the ends of said rod. v

' FRANK E. WOLCO'IT.

lot

CERTIFICATE OF CORREGTIGN.

Patent No. 1,969,248. August 7, 1934.

FRANK E. WOLCOTT.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 56, claim 4, for "and" first occurrence read. unit; line 71, claim 6, for "later" read latter; and lines 123 and 124, claim 12, strike out the words "hi'a'ged member"; and that the said Letters Patent should he read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of October, A. D. 1934.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

